Lourdes
2009-01-04, 08:51 AM
Some Great Tips From Those Who Should Know!
The Doctor
Dr Richard Deacon, Lancashire
I always eat bruised apples rather than perfect ones. The tissue in the decomposing peel contains an aspirin-like substance called salicylic acid. Aspirin helps thin the blood and so reduces the risk of disease which is why people aged over 40 are often advised to take it daily. This is a natural way of helping to keep the blood healthy.
The scientist
Dr Paul Clayton, visiting fellow, Oxford Brookes University School of Life Science
I try to get outside for 20 minutes a day whenever the sun is out. Exposure to 20 minutes of sunshine a day is sufficient, in most cases, to generate enough Vitamin D to maintain adequate levels of this vital micronutrient. During the winter months, however, this is impossible, which is why many people suffer from hypovitaminosis (Vitamin D depletion), and there is strong and mounting evidence that this is a contributory factor to a great deal of ill health.
The plastic surgeon
Angelica Kavouni of Harley Street, London
I always sleep on silk so that my skin glides rather than drags across the fabric, reducing the chances of wrinkles - particularly those in the nasal labial fold between mouth and nose.
I also use sunscreen all year round on both my face and the back of my hands - the skin is still exposed to damaging UV rays, even during the winter months.
The podiatrist
Barry Radivan, based in Manchester
As soon as I get home from work at night I take off my shoes and socks and walk around with bare feet for about an hour. This allows the feet to air, for perspiration to evaporate naturally and for the toes to spread, all of which reduce the chances of conditions such as soft corns, athlete's foot or maceration of the toes, which happen when the toes are compressed together in a shoe.
Walking on a completely flat foot also allows for the stretching of the rear compartment muscles at the back of the leg. I also never wear the same pair of shoes for two consecutive days. Allowing shoes to air means that bacteria that cause fungi have an opportunity to evaporate.
The BUPA director
Dr Annabel Bentley, assistant medical director
I make sure I don't take supplements and instead rely on a good balanced diet. Generally speaking, you shouldn't take vitamin supplements unless your doctor or dietician has told you to for medical reasons, such as an iron supplement for anaemia. Some vitamins, particularly fat-soluble vitamins, can be harmful in excessive quantities.
Too much Vitamin A can cause headaches and skin changes and damage your liver. Research published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that Vitamins A and E and beta carotene increase your risk of dying early. You should not take these vitamin supplements either alone or as part of a multi-vitamin supplement unless advised to by your doctor.
The anaesthetist
Dr Keith Myerson, consultant at East Sussex Hospital Trust
Just before I stop work for lunch I always eat a piece of fruit. As a good source of fibre and carbohydrate the fruit immediately provides me with a release of energy and this takes the edge off my hunger. It means that when I sit down, I won't dive into something unhealthy or overeat because I'm starving. Over the years I've found it an excellent way to educate my palate.
The chiropractor
Tim Hutchful, based in Leicester
Whenever I get into the car to go anywhere I always take off my jacket and take my wallet out of my back pocket - and put both on the passenger seat. If you drive in a jacket it tethers you to the seat so that when you turn your neck it has a restricted sphere of movement which increases the risk of injury.
Sitting with anything in your back pocket means that one side of the pelvis is higher than the other and this can contort the joints.
It's important to put your things on the passenger seat as reaching into the back can strain the neck and back.
The E.N.T. surgeon
Dr Yves Kamami, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the Private Clinic in London
Living in a big city, where there is lots of pollution, causes the tissues in the nose to enlarge or become inflamed and this can lead to a blocked nose. To avoid this, I make sure I wash my nose out each morning and evening with a saltwater spray.
You can buy these from chemists or make your own by just adding a dash of salt to a small cup of water - though a spray is more efficient as it targets the back of the nose more effectively. The water rinses out the nasal passages while the salt has an anti-inflammatory effect which will reduce the size of any enlarged tissues.
Heading off a blocked nose ensures I breathe easily - and guarantees I get a good night's sleep.
The cosmetic dentist
Dr Hap Gill, cosmetic and oral rehabilitation dentist at the Smile Studio, Richmond
Chewing sugar-free gum for ten minutes between meals increases saliva flow which neutralises the acids produced by bacteria far quicker than if you didn't chew.
Also, if I have a glass of wine I try to have some cheese, as it helps to buffer the acidity of the wine.
The radio doctor
Dr Phil Hammond, GP and broadcaster
Taking my two labradors for a walk and generally petting and rolling around with them is a great boost for health. Aside from the obvious benefits of exercise, science can testify that the social interaction between dogs and their owners can lower blood pressure, which has an overall benefit to health.
In fact, there has been a huge body of work done on this subject - linking pet ownership to reductions in cardiovascular disease as well as many other illnesses.
The public health lecturer
Rosa Benato, of City University, London
I stave off colds and infections by washing my hands as soon as I get home or into work if I have been travelling on public transport.
Colds can be acquired by touching, for instance, a door handle that has been touched by someone who has just blown their nose.
I also make sure I go to bed early one night a week.
The optometrist
Dr Susan Blakeney, adviser at the College of Optometrists
I regularly check the vision in each of my eyes separately by winking - if you can't wink, place one hand over each eye - so that I can monitor any changes in my sight.
It is important to know what is normal vision for you and to check each eye separately as vision in one eye can worsen but go unnoticed if the other eye compensates for it.
And I try to make sure I eat my greens since foods such as broccoli, spinach and kale are particularly good for your eyes, as well as your general health, because they are high in zeaxanthin and lutein. These nutrients are carotenoids that protect aginst the eye disease macular degeneration.
The Doctor
Dr Richard Deacon, Lancashire
I always eat bruised apples rather than perfect ones. The tissue in the decomposing peel contains an aspirin-like substance called salicylic acid. Aspirin helps thin the blood and so reduces the risk of disease which is why people aged over 40 are often advised to take it daily. This is a natural way of helping to keep the blood healthy.
The scientist
Dr Paul Clayton, visiting fellow, Oxford Brookes University School of Life Science
I try to get outside for 20 minutes a day whenever the sun is out. Exposure to 20 minutes of sunshine a day is sufficient, in most cases, to generate enough Vitamin D to maintain adequate levels of this vital micronutrient. During the winter months, however, this is impossible, which is why many people suffer from hypovitaminosis (Vitamin D depletion), and there is strong and mounting evidence that this is a contributory factor to a great deal of ill health.
The plastic surgeon
Angelica Kavouni of Harley Street, London
I always sleep on silk so that my skin glides rather than drags across the fabric, reducing the chances of wrinkles - particularly those in the nasal labial fold between mouth and nose.
I also use sunscreen all year round on both my face and the back of my hands - the skin is still exposed to damaging UV rays, even during the winter months.
The podiatrist
Barry Radivan, based in Manchester
As soon as I get home from work at night I take off my shoes and socks and walk around with bare feet for about an hour. This allows the feet to air, for perspiration to evaporate naturally and for the toes to spread, all of which reduce the chances of conditions such as soft corns, athlete's foot or maceration of the toes, which happen when the toes are compressed together in a shoe.
Walking on a completely flat foot also allows for the stretching of the rear compartment muscles at the back of the leg. I also never wear the same pair of shoes for two consecutive days. Allowing shoes to air means that bacteria that cause fungi have an opportunity to evaporate.
The BUPA director
Dr Annabel Bentley, assistant medical director
I make sure I don't take supplements and instead rely on a good balanced diet. Generally speaking, you shouldn't take vitamin supplements unless your doctor or dietician has told you to for medical reasons, such as an iron supplement for anaemia. Some vitamins, particularly fat-soluble vitamins, can be harmful in excessive quantities.
Too much Vitamin A can cause headaches and skin changes and damage your liver. Research published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that Vitamins A and E and beta carotene increase your risk of dying early. You should not take these vitamin supplements either alone or as part of a multi-vitamin supplement unless advised to by your doctor.
The anaesthetist
Dr Keith Myerson, consultant at East Sussex Hospital Trust
Just before I stop work for lunch I always eat a piece of fruit. As a good source of fibre and carbohydrate the fruit immediately provides me with a release of energy and this takes the edge off my hunger. It means that when I sit down, I won't dive into something unhealthy or overeat because I'm starving. Over the years I've found it an excellent way to educate my palate.
The chiropractor
Tim Hutchful, based in Leicester
Whenever I get into the car to go anywhere I always take off my jacket and take my wallet out of my back pocket - and put both on the passenger seat. If you drive in a jacket it tethers you to the seat so that when you turn your neck it has a restricted sphere of movement which increases the risk of injury.
Sitting with anything in your back pocket means that one side of the pelvis is higher than the other and this can contort the joints.
It's important to put your things on the passenger seat as reaching into the back can strain the neck and back.
The E.N.T. surgeon
Dr Yves Kamami, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the Private Clinic in London
Living in a big city, where there is lots of pollution, causes the tissues in the nose to enlarge or become inflamed and this can lead to a blocked nose. To avoid this, I make sure I wash my nose out each morning and evening with a saltwater spray.
You can buy these from chemists or make your own by just adding a dash of salt to a small cup of water - though a spray is more efficient as it targets the back of the nose more effectively. The water rinses out the nasal passages while the salt has an anti-inflammatory effect which will reduce the size of any enlarged tissues.
Heading off a blocked nose ensures I breathe easily - and guarantees I get a good night's sleep.
The cosmetic dentist
Dr Hap Gill, cosmetic and oral rehabilitation dentist at the Smile Studio, Richmond
Chewing sugar-free gum for ten minutes between meals increases saliva flow which neutralises the acids produced by bacteria far quicker than if you didn't chew.
Also, if I have a glass of wine I try to have some cheese, as it helps to buffer the acidity of the wine.
The radio doctor
Dr Phil Hammond, GP and broadcaster
Taking my two labradors for a walk and generally petting and rolling around with them is a great boost for health. Aside from the obvious benefits of exercise, science can testify that the social interaction between dogs and their owners can lower blood pressure, which has an overall benefit to health.
In fact, there has been a huge body of work done on this subject - linking pet ownership to reductions in cardiovascular disease as well as many other illnesses.
The public health lecturer
Rosa Benato, of City University, London
I stave off colds and infections by washing my hands as soon as I get home or into work if I have been travelling on public transport.
Colds can be acquired by touching, for instance, a door handle that has been touched by someone who has just blown their nose.
I also make sure I go to bed early one night a week.
The optometrist
Dr Susan Blakeney, adviser at the College of Optometrists
I regularly check the vision in each of my eyes separately by winking - if you can't wink, place one hand over each eye - so that I can monitor any changes in my sight.
It is important to know what is normal vision for you and to check each eye separately as vision in one eye can worsen but go unnoticed if the other eye compensates for it.
And I try to make sure I eat my greens since foods such as broccoli, spinach and kale are particularly good for your eyes, as well as your general health, because they are high in zeaxanthin and lutein. These nutrients are carotenoids that protect aginst the eye disease macular degeneration.